Rhode Island has three boarding schools of note: St. George’s School and Portsmouth Abbey School, both on Narragansett Bay near Newport, and Rocky Hill Country Day. Boarding tuition runs $65,000–$72,000 per year in 2026. The state’s small size is offset by coastal campuses with strong sailing and marine programs.
Key facts about Rhode Island boarding schools
- Rhode Island has three boarding schools — small in number, established in reputation.
- Boarding tuition runs $65,000–$72,000 per year for 2025–26.
- St. George’s School sits on a hilltop above the Atlantic in Middletown, near Newport.
- Portsmouth Abbey is a Benedictine Catholic school with monks living and teaching on campus.
- Both major schools field competitive sailing teams with direct access to Narragansett Bay.
Which are the boarding schools in Rhode Island?
| School | Town | Type | Boarding tuition | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. George’s School | Middletown | Coed, 9–12 (Episcopal) | ~$71,000 | ~30% |
| Portsmouth Abbey School | Portsmouth | Coed, 9–12 (Benedictine) | ~$68,000 | ~55% |
| Rocky Hill Country Day School | East Greenwich | Coed (limited boarding) | ~$65,000 | ~70% |
The Newport setting
St. George’s and Portsmouth Abbey are both within a short drive of Newport, and both use the water seriously — competitive sailing, marine science, and coastal ecology programs run from campus rather than on field trips. For a student drawn to sailing specifically, this concentration is unmatched anywhere else in American boarding education.
Portsmouth Abbey adds a genuinely distinctive residential culture: Benedictine monks live on the campus, teach classes, and shape the daily rhythm. It admits students of all faiths but expects participation in theology coursework and some services — see Christian boarding schools for how this compares to other faith traditions.
Rhode Island in regional context
With three schools, Rhode Island cannot support a full application list on its own. Most families here apply across southern New England, where Massachusetts and Connecticut add dozens of options within a two-hour drive.
All states are indexed in best boarding schools by state.
Rhode Island boarding school FAQ
What is the best boarding school in Rhode Island?
St. George's School in Middletown is Rhode Island's leading boarding school — coed, grades 9–12, on a hilltop campus overlooking the Atlantic, with boarding tuition near $71,000 and roughly 30% acceptance. Portsmouth Abbey School is the state's strong Benedictine Catholic alternative.
How much do Rhode Island boarding schools cost?
Rhode Island boarding schools charge $65,000–$72,000 per year for boarding in 2025–26, in line with the wider New England market. St. George's runs approximately $71,000 and Portsmouth Abbey approximately $68,000, both with need-based aid through the standard SSS/PFS process.
Is Portsmouth Abbey a Catholic school?
Yes. Portsmouth Abbey School is a Benedictine Catholic boarding school in Portsmouth, run in association with the monastery on its campus. It admits students of all faiths but requires theology coursework and attendance at some liturgical services, and monks teach and live within the community.
Do Rhode Island boarding schools have sailing programs?
Yes — it is the state's natural advantage. St. George's and Portsmouth Abbey both sit on Narragansett Bay near Newport, one of the world's sailing capitals, and both field competitive sailing teams with direct water access from campus.
Sources
- St. George’s School and Portsmouth Abbey School: published tuition and admission data.
- AISNE: New England independent school directory.